QUETTA: The government will take all possible measures to fulfil its responsibility to help and rehabilitate the victims of landmine explosions, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri says.

He was talking to landmine victims of Dera Bugti who were left physically handicapped because of the blasts.

Scores of the landmine-hit people had gathered outside the Quetta Press Club to participate in a demonstration. Among them was a woman. People were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against landmine explosions.

The protesters also chanted slogans against the anti-state elements involved in planting landmines on roadsides and fields. They demanded of the government to take action against the elements involved in targeting innocent people, including women and children.

Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri reached the press club to express solidarity with the landmine blast victims. He was accompanied by provincial ministers Sardar Aslam Bizenjo, Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhel and Obaidullah Babit.

He told the protesters that his government had already taken notice of landmines blasts and would take action against those involved in such inhuman acts. He said the government would also take measures for the rehabilitation of disabled people of the Bugti tribe who were targeted through landmines explosions.

He said the government would provide jobs and financial assistance to the victims of landmine explosions.

The chief minister criticised those people who were living abroad and raising slogans of so-called independence. He said they were enjoying luxurious life abroad and were making their own people physically disabled through blast and landmine explosions.

The woman who was disabled in a landmine blast in Dera Bugti district later met CM Zehri at the Chief Minister House. The chief minister welcomed her and placed a chador on her head and also provided her with financial assistance.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2017